Defending champion Jazz Janewattananond hit a seven-under-par 63 in the second round of the Queen's Cup to stay one shot off the lead yesterday.
The Thai was tied for second with the Philippines' Miguel Tabuena, who also fired a 63, on 128.
They were one stroke behind leader Johannes Veerman of the US who carded a 65 for 127 at Bangkok's Legacy Golf Club.
The US$500,000 tournament is hosted by Thai legend Thongchai Jaidee's Jaidee Foundation.
Veerman, chasing a breakthrough victory on the Asian Tour since coming through the qualifying school in 2016, set the tone early in the round when he drilled in a 30-footer for birdie on the first hole.
The 2016 Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit winner returned with a bogey-free round highlighted by five birdies to stay atop the leaderboard.
"My aim coming into today was to shoot around five or six under so I did achieve that," said Veerman.
"I started the round with a great birdie on the first after sinking a 30-footer and that got the ball rolling. I had a lot of confidence coming from that and lasted throughout the round. I'm really happy with how I did today and excited for tomorrow.
"I'm playing it pretty safe for the most part on this course. You can make a lot of silly mistakes on this course.
"There is a lot of golf left to play and I am halfway through. I know jazz and Miguel are quality players, so I expect them to play well and put up a good fight, but I expect myself to perform well too."
Jazz, who is looking to become the first player to successfully defend the Queen's Cup title, traded nine birdies against two bogeys to put himself in prime position for a weekend charge.
"I started off well like I did in yesterday's round with a birdie. Then I had some stupid mistakes along the way," he said.
"Today's round was still a good round but I could have gone much lower if I had not made some of those mistakes."
Tabuena said: "I took advantage of the calm conditions this morning and I am pretty happy with my round. All my birdies were inside six feet because I am striking the ball well but there is a lot of golf left to play so I am not going to get ahead of myself.
"My father surprised me by flying out to see me this weekend. I'm happy that he is going to see me because I always like when my parents come and watch me play."
Thai veteran Thaworn Wiratchant posted a 67 to lurk five shots off the pace in tied fifth with countrymen Natipong Srithong (66), Atiruj Winaicharoenchai (62) and Peradol Panyathanasedh (65).
